TAMPA, Fla. — Verbally repeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ record brought quarterback Josh McCown to tears last Sunday after a 27-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

But for crying out loud, the 1-8 mark also was not what coach Lovie Smith expected.

“We realize what our record is,” Smith said. “It’s a broken record, really.”

The Bucs have lost five games they led in the fourth quarter this season, the most in the NFL. Last week, it was 10 penalties that doomed the Bucs. This week? Who knows?

The Bucs head to Washington for a Sunday game at FedEx Field to take on the Redskins (3-6), a team that also has had its share of struggles under new coach Jay Gruden.

Like the Bucs, continuity at quarterback has been an issue. The Redskins have their starter and leader back as Robert Grifffin III has returned from a dislocated ankle. The trust between Griffin and Gruden appears to be good. While the Redskins want Griffin to avoid big hits, they don’t expect him to change his style and become a pocket passer.

“There’s a fine line,” Gruden said. “He’s the quarterback that has to make those decisions and we have to live with them. You can’t tell a guy — you can’t pull back the reins and say, ‘Hey, stay in the pocket all the time.’ It kind of defeats the purpose of having a guy like that — an athletic guy that can run and get outside the pocket, work some read options, some of that stuff that really make him who he is.

“Unfortunately for us, I’ve only had him for nine quarters in the regular season. He played the game against Houston, one quarter against Jacksonville and then the game against Minnesota. So we’re still working with him very closely with his footwork and fundamentals and trying to get to know the plays that he’s comfortable with and the plays that he likes so we can really execute.

“But as far as him running and all that stuff, he understands that he’s the franchise quarterback and he has to protect himself, but he also understands that sometimes plays have to be made and risks have to be taken — it’s just part of the position.”

The Bucs also have had their share of quarterback drama.

McCown, who missed a month with a ligament sprain in his right thumb, returned to the lineup last week against the Falcons and played well. He passed for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns before throwing two interceptions late in the game.

McCown, 35, was emotional after the game. But a bigger concern is a sore back he suffered after a hit he took late in last Sunday’s game.

Offensively, the Bucs have shown signs of life and an identity, with McCown making good use of his big bookend receivers, Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, who became the first Bucs rookie to go top 100 receiving yards in back-to-back games.

But the Bucs still struggle to run the football. Last week, they gave rookie Charles Sims his first action since coming off the disabled list after ankle surgery. Sims looked rusty and lost a fumble, but the Bucs say they haven’t lost any confidence in him.

Defensively, the Bucs should be better this week as they get back defensive end Michael Johnson and cornerback Alterraun Verner.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was double-teamed and ineffective last week. He’s coming off a groin strain and will need help pressuring Griffin.

The Bucs have to be careful not to let RGIII escape the pocket when he can hurt you with his legs.

“You’ve got to play, man. That’s the bottom line,” Griffin said. “Let your instincts take over, get out of bounds, slide, don’t take too many big hits. What people don’t realize is whether you’re an athletic-type quarterback or a quarterback that’s mostly stationary, a lot of your hits come in the pocket.

“That’s where it’s just football. You have to be strong enough — mentally strong enough, physically strong enough — to take on those hits, get up and move on to the next play. I just think there’s a bad stereotype that comes with being an athletic quarterback and I don’t know if it will ever go away.

“But I know one thing: I’m not going to let it infiltrate my mind and change the player that I am. You’ve just got to go out there and avoid the big hits out in the open field and then lead your team to victory.”

NOTES: The Bucs signed C.J. Wilson from the practice squad to the active roster. Wilson joined Tampa Bay on Sept. 9, signing with the team’s practice squad. … Among those not practicing Wednesday were DT Gerald McCoy (groin) and RB Doug Martin (knee).